China defends right to target people abroad under new ethnic unity law

China asserted its right to target people beyond its borders under a new ethnic unity law set to take effect on July 1, with a senior official on Wednesday dismissing foreign criticism of the provision as "legally unfounded." The declaration has amplified concerns in Taiwan and among international human rights groups that the law could become a tool of transnational repression.

Beijing Defends Overseas Reach

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie said the extraterritorial clause in the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress is "legitimate, lawful, necessary, and feasible," rejecting characterizations of the provision as "long-arm jurisdiction." Hu said the law targets "unlawful acts involving ethnic affairs from outside the country" and would "effectively safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests." He added that the provision would "not affect normal people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, academic discussions, economic and trade cooperation, or other activities."globalbankingandfinance+2

Article 63 of the law states that "organizations and individuals outside the People's Republic of China" who undermine ethnic unity or "create ethnic division" shall be held legally accountable. The law was adopted by China's National People's Congress on March 12, 2026, passing with 2,756 votes in favor.reuters+2

Taiwan and International Alarm

Taiwanese officials and scholars have warned the law could give Beijing another legal basis to pursue Taiwanese people it deems separatists. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has cautioned that the law's vague wording could allow authorities to "arbitrarily" apply charges. Chen Shih-min, a political science professor at National Taiwan University, said the law's surface goal of promoting ethnic unity masks its true purpose of holding accountable those deemed to be "creating division."news.pts+1

The concerns extend beyond Taiwan. A Japanese lawmaker warned that even expressing support for Taiwan or criticizing China's minority policies could be treated as a criminal act under the law. Eight UN human rights experts wrote to the Chinese government in April warning that Article 63 "could create risks of transnational repression."rti+2

Broader Context

The law codifies what critics describe as an assimilationist turn in Chinese ethnic policy under President Xi Jinping. It mandates Mandarin-language education starting before kindergarten, requires religious groups to follow "the direction of the Sinicization of religion," and orders all organizations to promote "a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation." Human Rights Watch has said the law provides "a broad legal framework to justify existing repression and force assimilation of minority populations."hrw+2

The Jamestown Foundation noted that the extraterritorial provisions "create a domestic statutory basis for transnational repression, designed to intimidate diaspora" communities.jamestown